In this free-jazz gangster film, reformed killer “Phoenix” Tetsu drifts around
Japan, awaiting his own execution until he’s called back to Tokyo to help battle
a rival gang. Seijun Suzuki's “barrage of aestheticised violence, visual gags,
[and] mind-warping color effects” got him in more trouble with Nikkatsu studio
heads, who had ordered him to “play it straight this time.” Instead he gave them
equal parts Russ Meyer, Samuel Fuller, and Nagisa Oshima.

NOTE: These
Blu-ray captures were
taken directly from the
Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' -
Blu-ray (November 11'):

The opening black-and-white sequences still has issues and I suspect
that the source's density is compromised to the extent that not a
lot could even be done digitally to improve the contrast. For all I
know though this is a style issue.

NOTE: Peter from our ListServ tells us: "What you see is what was
intended. The 35mm prints _deliberately_ have this opening section
completely blown out and dupey looking, full of weird grain and hot
spots."

F

laws of the 1999 SD
transfer have been 'corrected' including the ratio distortion,
extensively more vibrant colors (notable reds and blues), chroma is
now non-existent etc. The
Blu-ray
may be a little cropped in comparison to the DVD but the aspect
ratio clocks in at 2.35:1 (as opposed to the DVD at about 2:1). Like
Branded to Kill - this is such a wide deviation from the
original Criterion SD rendering that it probably seems better than
it is. But while imperfect - still looks impressive.

Audio gets the linear PCM, lossless, treatment - remaining faithfully
mono and there are optional English subtitles (new translation) on the region
'A'-locked
Blu-ray disc. Hajime Kaburagi's funky music has some depth
but and is also reproduced far better via the uncompressed
track.

Supplements are a bit slim with a HD video piece featuring new (July
2011) interviews with director Seijun Suzuki and assistant director
Masami Kuzuu who discuss the production of Tokyo Drifter for
about a dozen minutes. There is also a 1997 interview with Suzuki
running 30-minutes - recorded during a retrospective of his work by
the Japanese Foundation and Los Angeles FilmForum at the Nuart
Theater in L.A. Lastly we get a theatrical trailer (2:48 in 1080i)
and a liner notes booklet featuring an essay by film critic Howard
Hampton included in the package.

Tokyo Drifter is a perfect double-feature companion film to
Branded to Kill with more heavy style, crime-drama and
kitsch appeal. Suzuki fans are obsessive about these works and most
will be thrilled to see it looking and sounding so improved.
Absolutely recommended!

***

ON THE DVD: This early
non-anamorphic Criterion offering has some substantial flaws. The black
and white sequences in the very beginning are atrocious. Even if the
out-of-whack contrast were meant as a style offering, I am sure the
chroma was never intentional by Seijun Suzuki. I also noticed some significant
weaknesses - totally uncharacteristic of Criterion. The
image also seems vertically stretched. Regardless of painful
image quality, this is still a fun ride. I suggest that Criterion
re-issue this and Branded to Kill at some point in
the future, because when it is done properly it will look fantastic.
Although, I'll wager Criterion would like to forget this particular release.